Super cool! Food preservation innovation from 1956 to today

Frigidaire is Electrolux Group’s largest brand in North America. Here we tell the story of the Frigidaire Cold Pantry – launched in 1956 and known for having “a place for everything” – and how it compares with innovations of today.

“The 1950s was a time of progress and innovation, especially in the US,” says Felipe Stoliar, Global Product Portfolio Manager, – Food Preservation. “The industry moved a lot to improve quality, reliability, and scale. We’re still of course focused on quality and reliability, but also on sustainability.”

Watch the commercial for the 1956 Frigidaire, starring Bess Myerson, Miss America 1945.

“The slogan “A place for everything” is something we could still say today – except now we emphasize that storing food correctly helps minimize food waste,” says Seif Abdelghany, Category Manager, Food Preservation, Business Area Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

The Frigidaire Cold Pantry has a “picture-window hydrator” for fruits and vegetables that tilts down and lifts out. It’s the precursor to today’s chillers and crispers. Our brand AEG’s new built-in cooling range for example, launched at IFA in Berlin in June 2021, has 21st-century technology to preserve fruit and vegetables longer.

“These fridges do much more than just keep your food fresh,” says Simona Oboroceanu, Category Marketing Manager, Taste Experience Marketing, Business Area Europe. “They actually protect the quality of your food, they help you eat healthier, but also help you reduce food waste, so they’re the most sustainable fridges we’ve ever done.”

ColdSense and Cooling 360° help keep temperature constant, reducing food waste by up to 20%, and the GreenZone drawer preserves up to 95% of the vitamins in your fruit and vegetables. The AEG cooling range boasts 20% less CO2 emissions. 70% recycled plastic in the interior lining is an industry first.

In the 1950s, the “no-frost” technology was new. The Cold Pantry was a premium product, out of reach for most consumers. It has taken decades, but the no-frost technology is now available throughout the world at an affordable price – and Electrolux aims to roll out new technologies to an even larger customer base.

“We are able to offer selected features on a broader range of offerings as we increase scale,” says Felipe. “We’re democratizing innovations.”

In addition to improving energy efficiency with variable speed compressor innovations, connectivity continues to be at the forefront of innovation. It will help consumers with meal planning and shopping – and with connected appliances, the fridge and the oven can work together, helping the consumer to maximize flavor and vitamins, and minimize food waste.

Brand history

Back in 1956, Frigidaire was owned by General Motors, which of course is better known for cars. GM sold Frigidaire to White Sewing Machine in 1979. When Electrolux bought White in 1986, it also acquired the rights to the Kelvinator brand, which is now sold only in Australia. Check out the Kelvinator fridge from the 1950s below, here in ‘Bermuda Pink’.

Kelvinator fridge to match the kitchen